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Nationwide Pet Insurance Review

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Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company with unparalleled financial stability and claims-paying ability that has recently ventured into the pet insurance marketplace.

The company stands out because they offer expanded coverage beyond just cats and dogs, as well as wellness plans that cover things like checkups and vaccinations.
 
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How is Nationwide rated?

Breakdown

5.0/5
Coverage
3.0/5
Cost
4.0/5
Extras

Overall Rating: 4.3 / 5 (Excellent)

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness Plan is one of the most comprehensive on the market, and it will, as a result, cost you more than most standard pet insurance plans.

Nationwide is one of the few pet insurance providers that will extend coverage beyond dogs and cats, covering birds and all manner of other pets.

Truly unlimited coverage, however, is only offered if you choose the top tier plan.

Be aware that all plans besides Whole Pet with Wellness operate on a benefit schedule.

Nationwide Coverage

Coverage - 5 / 5

Nationwide's Whole Pet with Wellness plan is a great option for a complete pet insurance plan.

In addition to the normal accident and illness coverage, it also provides for yearly physical exams, vaccinations, and flea/heartworm prevention. It is, however, on the pricey side as a result. Its Major Medical plan is more in line cost and coverage-wise with the standard accident and illness plans offered by most companies.

You can also purchase the wellness plan on it's own, and it is relatively inexpensive. Finally, Nationwide recently released a more inexpensive Whole Pet plan without the wellness component.

This plan has many of the same characteristics of Whole Pet with Wellness, operates on a percentage reimbursement basis, but is subject to different annual caps.

It is interesting to note that Nationwide is the only company we are aware of that extends pet insurance beyond cats and dogs.

The company will cover most birds and a wide range of exotic pets.
Pets Covered
Dogs
Cats
Birds
Exotic Animals
Coverage Types
Medical
Wellness
Vet Selection
Unrestricted
Out-of-State Coverage
Yes
Commercial Pets Covered

Medical Conditions Covered

  • Accidental
  • Illness
  • Hereditary
  • Congenital
  • Cancer
  • Chronic
  • Accidental Dental
  • Dental Illness

Medical Treatments Covered

  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Surgery
  • Hospitalization
  • Prescription Medications
  • Emergency Care
  • Specialty Care
  • Alternative Care
  • Behavioral Therapy

Benefit Limits

Benefit Limits - 5 / 5

Both Nationwide models -- Whole Pet with 90% reimbursement, and all other plans with a benefit schedule -- offer unlimited annual maximums. The new Whole Pet plan without wellness, though, is subject to a $10,000 annual cap.

Additionally, you must remember that any plan but the Whole Pets are going to limit you by condition or procedure.

So even though technically there is no limit to the dollar amount they will spend on your pet in a year in total, there are limits on a condition and service basis with the lower two plans.
Benefit Limit Types
Unlimited

Reimbursement & Deductibles

Reimbursement - 5 / 5

Nationwide's top tier Whole Pet with Wellness, as well as the new Whole Pet (alone) plan, both reimburse 90% of the total vet bill.

However, Major Medical and Pet Wellness reimburse according to a benefits schedule.

These schedules cap payouts by condition or service. If you are going with one of these plans we suggest you scrutinize your policy carefully before purchase, as your pet's breed may be susceptible to certain conditions with low coverage limits in the plan.

Benefits schedules, and no choice in customizing the reimbursement percentage in the top tier plan, limit the flexibility of Nationwide's offerings.
Reimbursement Model
Actual Cost
Benefit Schedule
Minimum Percent Reimbursement
90%
Maximum Percent Reimbursement
90%

Deductibles - 5 / 5

Nationwide Whole Pet with Wellness offers one annual deductible of $100.

This is in some ways good because it is so low. But you will not have the flexibility of choosing higher deductibles should you want a lower monthly premium or should it somehow fit your needs in other ways.

Most of our top companies offer customizable deductibles.

The new Whole Pet without the wellness component, as well as the Major Medical plan, both have annual deductibles set at $250.
Deductible Type
Annual
Minimum Deductible Offered
$100
Maximum Deductible Offered
$250

Pricing: How much does Nationwide cost?

Cost - 3 / 5

Nationwide's plans are comprehensive, but you are going to pay the price. Their monthly premiums are a little on the high end as opposed to our other companies.

Starting Monthly Premiums

Dog: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male Golden Retriever in zip code 92683
$34.25
Cat: Sample Monthly Premium, 1 year old male American Shorthair in zip code 92683
$18.84
Rate Details: Annual Deductible: $250, Benefits Cap: Annual & Unlimited, Reimbursement Model: Benefits Schedule
Available Discounts: 5% discount on current Nationwide member

Enrollment & Waiting Periods

Enrollment - 3 / 5

Like our other companies, Nationwide will enroll pets starting at 6 weeks. Unlike our other companies, Nationwide has a relatively lower age restriction with older pets at 10 years.

However, if the pet is enrolled before age 10, and the policy never lapses, they will be covered for the duration of their lives.

Waiting periods are industry standard at 14 days, although Wellness starts 24 hours after approval.
Min Enrollment Age
6 weeks
Max Enrollment Age
10 years
Accident Waiting Period
14 days
Illnesses Waiting Period
14 days
Free Look Period
10 days

Claims & Service

Extras - 4 / 5

Nationwide's claims procedure is standard for the pet insurance industry.

Like other companies, you must first pay the vet directly, download Nationwide's claim form, and submit the form with all paid invoices. You can submit via mail, fax or email.
Advertised Response Time
14 days
Claim Form
Mail
Email
Fax

Contact & Additional Information

Homepage URL
https://www.petinsurance.com/
Headquarters Address
One Nationwide Plaza, Columbus, OH, 43215
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 2344, Brea, CA, 92822
Year Founded
1981
What We’re Hearing From Our Readers
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Customer Comments

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V
Victoria

9/6/2017
I love that you have direct deposit now! It doesn't take forever to get our reimbursement now!
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Pat D

9/6/2017
Have had Nationwide for my dog now for almost 10 months- the best choice I ever made. Nationwide consistently meets our needs. Claims were reviewed in a timely manner, email communications are sent frequently to advise on claim processing status- and checks cut and received with a reasonable time frame. I even received a "hope your pet is feeling better" email shortly after I submitted a claim for hospitalization, which shows the company has some heart( and my $2k + claim was reviewed and processed in record time) I highly recommend Nationwide Pet Insurance.
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Mary A

9/6/2017
This insurance is a life saver!
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S
Sharon D

9/6/2017
Nationwide has been a blessing! I adopted a 100 lb Saint Bernard that was found abandoned in the streets of Dallas and in very poor condition.The rescue looked after him and got him healthy before I took him home, but there have been many challenges since then that I could have never anticipated. The insurance is not inexpensive, however, with it, my dog is getting better medical care than I am ! and Nationwide has been the reason I could provide this level of care. This company provides better reimbursement for less money than other companies I researched. Thank you!! Sharon D. "Dallas's Mom"
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Susan s

9/6/2017
I feel secure that is can properly take care of my best buddie when he is sick or injured . We have been pleased with your product
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Cynthia D

9/6/2017
Best pet insurance ever! 90% of your costs back to you is the best I have found anywhere. You can now get your reimbursement through direct deposit. Submitting claims is easy. One con is it takes about 10 days for them to process claims. I'm very pleased with the service and highly recommend this insurance.
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Shannon

9/6/2017
Extremely quick. Refund was just as expected.
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R
Rozalind S

9/6/2017
Nationwide has provided fast, detailed responses to my claims. I am glad I have this pet insurance and will continue to purchase Nationwide coverage for my two young dogs.
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K
Kati Q

9/6/2017
I could not be more pleased with our experience dealing with Nationwide Pet Insurance. It has been the best investment our family has made to keep our Gunner properly cared for without putting our family in financial duress. When our Newfoundland (Gunner) was about 18 months old, the vet informed us that the dog had some knee trouble and we should work to keep the dog from doing intense physical activities as well as adding medication to help reduce inflammation. Nationwide happily covered the meds for Gunner to prevent any further damage to his knees. Unfortunately, Gunner ended up tearing his CCL (ACL) on his second birthday. Our family was terrified that after claiming the meds, the... Read More
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Maria H

9/6/2017
My girl just went through labor about August 5th. I submitted a claim for her vet bills about a week later. I have been traveling lately but I just received a check for part of my claim amount. It has been only a couple of weeks since placing my claim. I appreciate the prompt evaluation, and payment. More so, I appreciate that I just now received an e-mail following up on Mimmie's health. Those details mean a lot. Thanks!
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